EH101 gets Marine One Contract

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2005-01-28 10:32pm

Lockheed Martin to Build New Presidential Helicopter

The Department of Defense announced today that the team led by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, N.Y., has been selected to build the new presidential helicopter (VXX) based on its U.S. 101 medium lift helicopter.

This $1.7 billion, cost plus award fee contract will launch the VXX program’s system development and demonstration phase during which the program will integrate a “system of systems” with a modern, in-production aircraft to provide the president with safe and reliable helicopter transportation.

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone that caps an exhaustive and deliberative source selection process that carefully followed the Federal Acquisition Regulations,” said John Young, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. “The determined effort, long hours and hard work by both the VXX government team and the two industry teams will ensure a high level of quality and safety for future presidents, as well as a timely, efficient and effective program execution.”

“This decision truly reflects the best value and capability for the American taxpayer who is funding it, the Marines who will operate it and the future presidents who will fly in it,” Young added.

The fleet of helicopters that currently supports the presidential mission includes 30-year old aircraft that were designed in the 1960’s, fielded in the 1970’s and no longer has the growth capability to incorporate the equipment necessary to provide suitable presidential support in the post 9-11 environment.

“Under this replacement program, with its technology and performance improvements, a single platform will provide better savings in total ownership costs, engineering, maintenance and logistical support over the lifetime of the program,” Young said. “The president needs a more survivable helicopter while the nation engages in the Global War on Terrorism, and we are committed to providing it as soon as possible.”

The original Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program of record proposed an initial operating capability in 2013. The VXX program was accelerated in 2003 with a currently planned IOC in fiscal year 2009.

For more information, please contact Navy Public Affairs at (703) 697-5

kheegster · Post by **kheegster** » 2005-01-29 07:57am

Hmm...interesting that they didn't bother mentioning that it's based on an AgustaWestland design, and will be 1/3 built be Euro-Commies....

Post by **Vympel** » 2005-01-29 08:15am

I was going to say ... I guess it being built by LM sort of cancels it out.

But the real question is- why oh why didn't the V-22 Osprey get the contract?

PainRack · Post by **PainRack** » 2005-01-29 09:53am

Vympel wrote:I was going to say ... I guess it being built by LM sort of cancels it out.

But the real question is- why oh why didn't the V-22 Osprey get the contract?

I don't know. If bush can screw up even the Segway, won't he screw up the Osprey so badly that it actually will fly?

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2005-01-29 11:27pm

If he needs a really fast VTOL craft, then the tilt-wing from GitS: SAC is ideal.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2005-01-29 11:38pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:If he needs a really fast VTOL craft, then the tilt-wing from GitS: SAC is ideal.

We need to invest billions of military dollars towards developing an autogyro program! That would be VTOL and fast.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-01-30 01:51am

As a taxpayer, I am more than willing to chip in and call him a Presidential cab when necessary.

Jade Falcon · Post by **Jade Falcon** » 2005-01-30 11:27am

Master of Ossus wrote: We need to invest billions of military dollars towards developing anautogyro program! That would be VTOL and fast.

I preferred the Little Nellie variant myself.

AniThyng · Post by **AniThyng** » 2005-01-31 03:45am

Vympel wrote:I was going to say ... I guess it being built by LM sort of cancels it out.

But the real question is- why oh why didn't the V-22 Osprey get the contract?

not sure if this is the right place to ask, but since it's mentioned....

is the tilt-rotor configuration of the V-22 any less or more vulnerable to damage from groundfire then a conventional helicopter?

Post by **Vympel** » 2005-01-31 04:56am

AniThyng wrote:
not sure if this is the right place to ask, but since it's mentioned....

is the tilt-rotor configuration of the V-22 any less or more vulnerable to damage from groundfire then a conventional helicopter?

More vulnerable. The V-22 cannot autorotate when damaged. It just dies.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2005-01-31 07:37am

Vympel wrote:
More vulnerable. The V-22 cannot autorotate when damaged. It just dies.

Assuming the rotor units are still in one piece, it would have some degree of lift/drag to help soften the blow, but it still isn't like a true chopper given he decentralised rotors, hence the whole concept to begin with.

I'd prefer a tilt-wing, but no one likes that even when the concept worked pefectly well in the past without the problems the V-22 has been having. Still, I hope they go for that four engined variant too for transport and gunship duty.

Autogyros are cool too, though really a light attack craft more than a transport. Little Nellie always reminded me of the Flettner production chopper.

Chris OFarrell · Post by **Chris OFarrell** » 2005-01-31 08:03am

Jade Falcon wrote:
Master of Ossus wrote: We need to invest billions of military dollars towards developing anautogyro program! That would be VTOL and fast.

I preferred the Little Nellie variant myself.

Yes. The only Gyrocopter that can carry two AIM-9 missiles, twin .50 cal machine guns, flamethrowers, rocket pods AND bomblets on small parachutes.

I WANT one...

Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba · Post by **Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba** » 2005-01-31 08:56am

Bush is a fool- surely the LAAT contract by Lucasfilm is superior to this one! Why oh why didn't it get chosen...

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2005-01-31 09:08am

Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba wrote:Bush is a fool- surely the LAAT contract by Lucasfilm is superior to this one! Why oh why didn't it get chosen...

Mil-Mi would sue them probably.

AniThyng · Post by **AniThyng** » 2005-01-31 07:50pm

Vympel wrote:
More vulnerable. The V-22 cannot autorotate when damaged. It just dies.

ah...i take it this is not the sort of thing anyone will want to ride into a hot or potentially hot landing zone then? it doesn't seem like a particularly useful thing for a force that is expected to see heavy combat....

Stuart Mackey · Post by **Stuart Mackey** » 2005-01-31 10:50pm

The fleet of helicopters that currently supports the presidential mission includes 30-year old aircraft that were designed in the 1960’s, fielded in the 1970’s and no longer has the growth capability to incorporate the equipment necessary to provide suitable presidential support in the post 9-11 environment.

What does the 'post 9-11 environment' have to do with it? is this a more lethal environment than, say, a potential nuclear strike environment?or less so?
why dont they just say that the old helicopters are stuffed and they need a new one/s?